Connecticut western news., 1887-02-09

as tuft of thistle-down, sank like bit of lead in her bosom at ths an- nouncement.
 'sHe's been a-wanting to go to the city fur some time," said the old lady, taking out her knitting and settling her. self for pleasant chat. 'T s'pose he'll call an see Priscilla Pinkham while he's there. I wish he hadn't took such notion to that girl," she added, confi- dentially, as she looked sharply through her glasses at Viney's blushlng cheeks. 'But, there, we needn't bother about that now. Pm real glad you'll stay with me, Whey; and I'll have lemon cakes and raspberry jam fur tea. know what young folks like," she added, kindly.
 'I must say, Priscilla, it's tine you found something to dol" said Miss Me lissa Pinkham, sharply, to her younger sister. "You spent all our spare funds on that trip to the country this fall, and lost your situation by it, and here we are, getting poorer every day. I tried to make little something renting rooms, but nobody's come to look at lem even, and something's got to be done!"
 "Oh, don't worry, Melissl My trip to the country, that you grumbled about so, was a speculation. Just wait till Cecil Fairfax comes! I'll manage to bring him to the point, see if don'tl And when get him our troubles will be overp
 "Humph!" sniffed Melissa. 'I don't believe in having to bring man to the point! And besides, if your MT. Fair fax was to see you now, I don't think you'd find it so easy to do," she added, with glance at her sisters soiled dress, rough, untidy hair and slip-shod feet.
 "Oh, he won't see me this wayl" said Priscilla, lightly. 'I shall frizz my hair and wear my crimson cashmere and my beaded jersey when he comes."
 At this very moment knock sounded on the door, and opening it hastily, Priscilla beheld-Cecil Fairfax.
 He could hardly conceal his surprise at the picture which met his gaze, for Miss Priscilla had been the pink of neatness during the few weeks he had known her, and Cecil had all mans horror of slovenly woman.
 Priscilla, on her part, was awkward and embarrassed, and was glad when the interview was over.
 ''That's the end of your speculation P cried Melissa, sharply, when the guest had departed. "And now that your pretty air-castle has tumbled about your ears, hope you'll be satisfied to go to work"
 "Who would have thought she was such slouch?" murmured Cecil, as he started for the depot to take the first train for home. 'Little Whey Farron, in her calico frocks and check aprons, is worth dozen Miss Pinkhams, as mo- ther said."
 Mrs. Fairfax and Whey were just sit ting down to their lemon cakes, rasp- berry jam and fragrant Oolong tea, when the door opened and Cecil appeared.
 And so Whey had the pleasant chat with him, after all, while Mrs. Fairfax set away the tea things, and the bright freight flashed over the cosey room, and Cecil watched Viney's fair face, with a look of lover-like admiration in his hand some eyes.
 'Here's something for you, Viney," said Tom Farron, handing his sister a large embossed envelope, plainly ad- dressed to 'sMiss Elvina Farron.'
 Whey opened it carefully, and out dropped gold ring, which was attached by thread to the han dsomely decorated valentine inclosed in the envelope.
 Within beautifully designed wreatt of orange blossoms was the couplet:
 If thou wilt be my Valentine,
 Accept this ring and am thine!' And under the lines was the name "Ce- cil Fairfax"
 Alkaline Bunting, who was at her cous in's at the time, beheld the valentine with mixture of feelings.
 "We didn't make much by sendins Whey to stay with Mrs. Fairfax tha day." she informed her sisters, ''for Ce cil came home the same night, and he sent Whey valentine, asking her t marry him."
 ''Well, I must say What fools w were!" cried Patty Ann, much provoked But it's too late now; the mischief done. "-[ Helen W. Clark.
 Frying as It is Abused.
 Frying, as the operation is usuall done in this country, constitutes tn basis of American simplicity in tn